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Man who stabbed ex-wife to death should be shown leniency, lawyer
argues
(HTM) Source
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A man who stabbed his ex-wife to death should be shown a "degree of
leniency" in sentencing partly because of his previously clean
criminal record and remorse, his lawyer says.
Darren Mark Wake is set to be sentenced in June after pleading guilty
to murdering 52-year-old midwife Rachel Wake at her Hobart home on
Christmas Day, 2021.
The pair, who had two children together, were married in 2001 but
separated in mid-2011.
Darren Mark Wake pleaded guilty in December to murdering 52-year-old
midwife Rachel Wake at her Hobart home on December 25, 2021. (Rachel's
Voice/Facebook)
Wake took a flick knife he purchased online to the house after telling
Ms Wake he wanted to deliver a present.
When he reached the front door, she told Wake their son didn't want to
see him and that he shouldn't come any further.
Wake pulled the knife from his pocket and stabbed her 17 times,
including to the neck.
She was rushed to hospital but died shortly afterwards.
Wake's lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi told the Supreme Court of Tasmania his
client had no criminal history bar three traffic infringements and
lived a normal life until the crime.
Cangelosi said Wake, who was a nurse, was deeply remorseful and
immediately called emergency services and gave Ms Wake medical
attention after stabbing her.
Cangelosi said Wake, who has been in jail since the murder, understood
he would spend many years in prison.
"(He) cannot go back in time to change what happened but has committed
to improve things for others," Cangelosi told the court on Wednesday.
"While (this is) a terrible, grave crime (and) he knows that, this is
a case where there still is the opportunity to exercise a degree of
leniency.
"And to allow for a person to attempt, in small ways, to make amends
for what he has done."
The court was told Wake had given "significant assistance" in four
serious matters - which weren't detailed in open court.
Cangelosi said it was fair Wake served the shortest possible non-
parole period because of his prior good conduct, remorse and
cooperation.
Wake was charged with murder on December 26, 2021 and pleaded not
guilty in October 2022 before changing his plea in December 2023.
Director of public prosecutions Daryl Coates SC said it wasn't just a
question of Wake's good record or rehabilitation, but the minimum time
he was required to serve for justice.
"He also tried to downplay the reason why he went there with the knife
saying it was a present for his daughter," Coates said.
"The fact was he took the knife contemplating he may have had to use
it if he wasn't given access to his son."
In February, Ms Wake's mother told the court her only daughter was
smart, funny, loyal and a "ray of sunshine" with deep love for her
family.
She said her daughter had been happy with a new partner and new life.
Ms Wake's daughter Romany, who was in a car outside the house during
the stabbing, said she has struggled with post-traumatic stress
disorder, self-harm and survivor's guilt.
** _Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic
Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)._**
** _Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14._**
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